Assistant Director of Facilities, Grounds, and Maintenance

Other Jobs To Apply

Assistant Director of Facilities, Grounds, and Maintenance

The School:

Gilmour Academy is a Catholic, independent, coeducational college-preparatory school that was founded in 1946 by the Brothers of Holy Cross from Notre Dame, Indiana. The campus occupies 144 acres in Gates Mills, Ohio, an eastern suburb of Cleveland.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Buildings and Grounds will assist in overseeing and managing the maintenance, operations, and safety of all facilities and grounds on the property. This role supports the Director of Buildings and Grounds in ensuring that the organization's physical assets, including buildings, infrastructure, and surrounding areas, are maintained, functional, and safe for staff, visitors, and other stakeholders. The Assistant Director will coordinate teams, implement preventive maintenance programs, ensure compliance with safety regulations, and contribute to the development of long-term facilities management strategies.

Reports to: Director of Facilities, Grounds, and Maintenance

Overall Responsibilities

Facility Maintenance & Operations:

  • Assist in planning and coordinating maintenance activities for buildings, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, lighting, and structural integrity.

  • Monitor routine and emergency repairs to ensure facilities remain in optimal condition.

  • Conduct detailed inspections of buildings and grounds, establishing maintenance and repair schedules.

  • Plan, oversee, and coordinate all maintenance and repair work, ensuring high standards of safety, cleanliness, and efficiency.

  • Regulate HVAC systems to maintain appropriate temperatures and ensure economical use of resources.

  • Maintain an inventory of maintenance equipment and supplies.

  • Order and maintain suitable supplies, tools, and equipment for all facilities and property.

  • Develop a system for handling emergency repair issues efficiently.

Grounds Maintenance:

  • Supervise and ensure the proper upkeep of all outdoor areas, including landscaping, parking lots, sidewalks, and waste management.

  • Ensure grounds are kept clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.

  • Maintain school grounds in top condition, ensuring safety, health, and comfort for students and employees.

Staff Management:

  • Assist in managing, supervising, and training maintenance workers, custodians, and groundskeeping personnel.

  • Provide training, evaluate performance, and ensure safety standards are met.

  • Coordinate team schedules and assignments to maximize efficiency.

  • Monitor time records and certify salary payments for maintenance and grounds staff (Building Administrator certifies custodial staff payments).

Budgeting & Procurement:

  • Assist the Director in developing and managing budgets for building and grounds operations.

  • Oversee the purchase of supplies and materials, ensuring cost-effective and efficient solutions for maintenance and repair.

Safety & Compliance:

  • Ensure all buildings and grounds comply with local, state, and federal safety regulations.

  • Participate in conducting safety inspections, risk assessments, and environmental health evaluations.

  • Ensure activities comply with health, safety, and environmental standards (e.g., asbestos, hazardous chemicals, playground safety).

  • Ensure all activities follow Gilmour Academy’s policies and guidelines.

  • Adhere to Gilmour Academy's health and safety policies, including precautions in the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.

Project Management:

  • Assist in overseeing facility improvement projects, renovations, and upgrades.

  • Coordinate contractors, vendors, and internal teams to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

Emergency Response:

  • Act as a key point of contact during emergencies (e.g., building damage, power outages, weather-related incidents).

  • Respond quickly and efficiently to mitigate damage, ensure safety, and manage repairs.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Support the implementation of sustainability practices, including energy efficiency programs, recycling, and environmentally responsible grounds maintenance.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Stay current with new information, innovative ideas, and techniques in facilities maintenance.

  • Attend and conduct in-service meetings and staff meetings as required.

  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Administrative Staff.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

  • Ability to stand, walk, and bend for extended periods.

  • Ability to perform tasks in varying weather conditions (heat, rain, cold).

  • Ability to work in environments with varying levels of noise and temperature.

  • Capability to climb ladders, perform inspections, and access elevated areas.

  • Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting, carrying, and moving materials or equipment as needed.

Qualifications

Education:

  • Required:

    • Associate's degree in Facilities Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.

  • Preferred:

    • A bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Business Administration, or a related field would be a plus.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in facilities or buildings and grounds management, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.

  • Experience in project management, budgeting, and vendor coordination.

  • Knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and safety regulations.

  • Familiarity with sustainable practices in facility management.

Certifications:

  • Required

    • Facilities Management certification (e.g., Certified Facilities Manager (CFM), Facility Management Professional (FMP) is preferred.

    • OSHA 30-Hour Construction or General Industry Certification.

  • Preferred

    • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Associate or Accredited Professional certification.

    • Building systems certifications (e.g., HVAC, plumbing, electrical).

    • First Aid/CPR certification.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...